Garcia glad to get past resilient Jaidee

Sergio Garcia was relieved to finally progress after a marathon first round match against Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee which spanned 30 hours at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

The Spaniard, first out yesterday at 7.25am, was two up and with a putt to win the contest on the 16th green when play was suspended last night due to snow.

Once the Dove Mountain course had been cleared Garcia three-putted from 15 feet and when Jaidee birdied the last extra holes were required.

The former paratrooper from Thailand almost took the 19th when his putt lipped out but it was Garcia who birdied the 20th to set-up a second round clash with American Matt Kuchar.

“It's been quite a day and a half, I guess, with yesterday, how difficult it was then the snow and all the delays,” said Garcia.

“I guess at the end of the day, I was pleased to get through, but I need to get much better if I want to keep going through this week.”

On his three-putt at the 16th Garcia added: “They haven't cut the greens for two days, so you know it's a quick putt, you know it's downhill, but there's a little bit of uncertainty in it. Then obviously a little bit nervous, and I over-hit it, and it was obviously very quick, went to nine feet, and then I hit a terrible putt.

“He made a great birdie on 18 and had a great chance on the first hole to close out the match, hit a great putt and unfortunately it lipped out, and then I was fortunate enough to play the second hole fairly well and made birdie.